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COURSE SYLLABUS
LS 504: INTRODUCTION TO THE INFORMATION PROFESSIONS
PREPARED BY BERNARD VAVREK
SPRING 2003, WEB VERSION

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY SCIENCE
CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Office Hours: Monday, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday/Thursday, 10-12 noon
[online hours immediately following chats]
Telephone [office] 814-393-2383
Telephone [fax] 814-393-2150
Telephone [toll free] 866-272-5612
Telephone [home] 814-226-6671

e-mail= vavrek@clarion.edu
Blackboard= online.clarion.edu

Online chats will be held on Wednesdays, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m., as noted in this syllabus. Students must participate in one of the sessions.
N.B.: Throughout this syllabus, underlining is used to show linkable sites.
NBB: Please note, as well, that access to the conent of chat and discussion forums is limited to members of the class.

I. Course Description:

This course introduces students to the nature of information and its role in society, the philosophical, ethical, and historical foundations of the information professions, major professional organizations, and the legal, political, and social issues confronting today's information professionals. The identification and use of print and electronic information resources pertinent to library and information science are also covered.

Note: This course assumes a basic working knowledge of computers and related functions, including electronic mail, accessing web-based materials, utilizing word processing programs, etc. If you are deficient in any of these areas, it may be necessary for you to do some remedial work to "get up to speed."

II. Educational/Behavioral Objectives:

A. Understand the nature of information and the forces that shape it.

B. Understand the roles of librarians and related professionals in mediating between sources of information and consumers of information

C. Become acquainted with the body of professional literature that informs the information professions, including the various formats in which it is typically found

D. Become proficient in using the various information retrieval tools appropriate to the librarianship and other information disciplines

E. Understand the role of professional organizations in relationship to the information professions and have a basic knowledge of the history, function, and purpose of the major professional organizations and selected specialty organizations

F. Understand the distinguishing aspects of the major types of libraries and career paths available in each

G. Understand the history of libraries in society, particularly the role of libraries in American culture;

H. Have a basic grasp of the nomenclature and vocabulary associated with librarianship;

III. Statements on Readings, Oral, and Viewing Assignments:

A. The textbooks will provide the major sources for reading materials in this class, although additional bibliography will be needed as assigned throughout the semester.

B. Oral assignments will be in the form of chat participation, which is noted more fully below under the category of "Evaluation."

C. Students will be expected to do a number of library observations, if possible, along with a visit to a super-bookstore, e.g., as Barnes & Noble, if available. To supplement the texts and to maximize course objectives, one will be asked to visit an academic, public, school, and special library. [If these types of libraries are not available to students, the alternative will be to prepare a brief paper of three-four pages, using the library literature.] In each instance, whether in the form of an interview or research paper, one will be interested in having the following questions answered: 1. "What is it like to be an academic [public, school, and special] librarian?" 2. "Overall, what are the major services that your academic […] library provides?" 3. "What are the most significant challenges that you presently face as an academic […] librarian?" 4. "What do envisage as the major trends in your academic […] library for the future?"

D. The purpose of visiting a large bookstore is to compare the similarities and differences of its services and environment to that of the library as an institution. Again, if no bookstore is available to the student, one will be asked to review the library literature for articles pertaining to book collecting, bookstores, etc. No paper is required for this assignment.

IV. Activities and/or Class Projects:

A. In addition to those items noted in III, above, students will be expected to add their comments on the issues discussed throughout the semester to the Blackboard site for this class. Further, as a major class assignment, each student will be expected to prepare a research paper of no fewer than 20 pages relating to some aspect of librarianship. Possible topics will be as varied as those that will be discussed during the semester from the textbooks.

B. It will also be expected that members of the class edit and publish a Web page, either to the university's server or to some other source. The Web page will comprise one's resume, a personal photograph, and two links to other URL's.

V. Teaching Methods:

A. Various teaching methods will be used, including chat discussion, threaded commentary on the Blackboard site, instructor initiated questions, and student generated research.

VI. Evaluation:

A. Fifty percent of the semester grade will be based on the successful completion of a research paper. This paper will consist of no fewer than twenty pages, using a maximum of 1.25-inch margins, and a maximum type size of 12 points. The bibliography or resource page for this paper should not be counted in the page total. A reasonable number of footnotes, references, etc., would be in the range of 30-50 citations. This will be governed, as well, by the nature of the research
undertaken.

B. Twenty-five percent of the semester's grade will be derived from the mid-term and final examinations, which will consist of both objective--fill-in and brief identification, as well as subjective types of questions--essay. Examinations will be timed for two-hours as scheduled in the syllabus and the honor system will prevail.

C. The remaining 25% of the total evaluation will be comprised of active participation in the chat discussions and directed assignments using the Discussion Board Forum on Blackboard. It is assumed that students will actively participate in all chat discussions. These are scheduled at 9:00-11:00 a.m and 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday of each week as scheduled in the syllabus. A student is expected to participate in either the morning or evening chat. If a student misses a total of three chat sessions during the semester, without prior approval, her or his grade will be reduced the equivalent of one letter. If a student misses a chat session, he or she is expected to review the archives of that discussion and post comments on that session in the form of another archive.

VII. Academic Honesty:

Please review the university's policy as it pertains to this very important topic.

VIII. Texts:

A. American Psychological Association. (2001). "Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Assocation.

B. Harris, Robert A. (2002). "Using Resources Effectively: Strengthening Your Writing and Avoiding Plagiarism." Los Angeles: Pyrczak Publishing.

C. Lerner, Fred. (1998). "The Story of Libraries: From the Invention of Writing to the Computer Age." New York: Continuum International Publishing Group.

D. Rubin, Richard E. (2000). "Foundations of Library and Information Science." New York: Neal Schuman Publishers, Inc.

IX. Course Outline:

A. Orientation, objectives, etc.

B. Blackboard, Library Science's Web site

C. History of libraries

D. Librarians as book collectors

E. Academic libraries

F. Public libraries

G. School libraries

H. Special libraries

I. Mid-term exam

J. Librarianship as a profession

K. Redefining the library as the god, technology

L. Information infrastructure

M. Information Science

N. Information policy

O. Intellectual freedom

P. Ethics and standards

Q. Highlights of research papers

R. Web page/resume

S. Final exam

Please note that the following calendar is based on a Wednesday [9:00-11:00 a.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m.], schedule of chat forums. Members of the class must participate in either the morning or evening chat session. Items identified as “Assignments/Readings” suggest that those things should be completed by that date and would either directly or indirectly be part of the chat discussion for that day.

Wednesday, January 22, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Review the goals and objectives of the class

B. Each member of the class should provide a brief introduction of herself/himself using Blackboard. Click on the "Student Tools" button on the course homepage, and then select the "Edit Your Homepage" option, and create a page of information that introduces you to the rest of the class. Please include the following items: "Where are you from/presently living? "What work do you currently do?" "What are your interests in librarianship?" What are your other interests?" "What is your educational background?"

C. Once you have created your page, click on "Communication," and then "Roster." Then click on the search button on the Roster page, but do not enter any information in the search bar. A list of class members will be shown. Click on your own name to review your page, and then on the names of your colleagues to find their homepages to learn about them.

D. Familiarize yourself, overall, with the use of Blackboard. Help in the use of Blackboard, in addition to your instructor, is available by contacting bbhelp@clarion.edu The hours of service are M-H [1-6], F [1-5], and Sunday [3-9].

E. Review the Department of Library Science's Web page, its policies, etc. Among other things, particularly examine the Toolkit link that is provided.

F. Purchase textbooks--or borrow them from a friend.

G. And speaking about friends, make friends with your advisor.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. Discuss class objectives, bases of evaluation, etc.

B. Consider use of any technology, including Blackboard

C. What is the role and use of Style Manuals?

D. What are the major Indexes and Abstracts to the "library literature?"

E. How useful are OCLC and First Search for researchers?

F. Identify relevant vocabulary. Students are asked, on a weekly basis, to contribute to the vocabulary of the information professions by posting names, dates, words, and/or phrases form our texts that would be of interest to the whole class. Please provide the name, date, etc., the brief informatin/definition, and then the source. An example of a citation would be, e.g., (Lerner, 1998, p.276). If you use another resource, please give the complete bibliographic information using either the APA or MLA style manual.

G. Topics appropriate for a research paper.

H. Review assignments for next week.

January 29, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Lerner, pp. 11-108.

B. Submit your commentary to the Discussion Board Forum on Blackboard considering some of the key factors in the history of the development of libraries, as noted by the author.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What are the key factors underlying the history of libraries from the earliest times to the contributions of Gutenberg?

B. What are the key events/dates to consider?

C. Identify relevant vocabulary. Students are asked, on a weekly basis, to contribute to the vocabulary of the information professions by posting names, dates, words, and/or phrases form our texts that would be of interest to the whole class. Please provide the name, date, etc., the brief informatin/definition, and then the source. An example of a citation would be, e.g., (Lerner, 1998, p.276). If you use another resource, please give the complete bibliographic information using either the APA or MLA style manual..

D. Discuss next week's assignments.

February 5, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Lerner, pp. 109-123.

B. Harris, pp. v.-44.

C. Submit a copy of the outline of your research paper to the Digital Drop Box of Blackboard for your instructor to consider and provide comments.

D Visit a super bookstore and compare and contrast its environment/services to a library of your choice. If no store is accessible, examine the library literature for articles pertaining to publishing/book collecting, etc. [No paper is required.] Be sure to post your commentary before the next chat session to the Discussion Board Forum.

E. Each member of the class should briefly identify her/his research topic during the chat session.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. To what extent are librarians book collectors?

B. Is it conceivable today that one would see the development of another rare book library as, e.g., the Morgan, in New York City? What factors would weigh against this occurring?

D. Discuss next week’s assignments.

February 12, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Lerner, pp. 201-211.

B. Harris, pp. 45-96.

C Rubin, pp. 207-264.

D. Rubin, pp. 297-349.

E. The previous three articles [#A, #C, #D] span all of the types of libraries that we are next going to consider. It would be, therefore, useful, to read them before or concurrently with the readings that will focus on specific types of libraries.

F. Lerner, pp. 124-137.

G. To supplement the texts and to maximize course objectives, visit an academic library of your choice and ask the following questions: 1. "What is it like to be an academic librarian?" 2. "Overall, what are the major services that your academic library provides?" 3. "What are the most significant challenges that you presently face as an academic librarian?" 4. "What do you envisage as the major trends in your academic library for the future?" [If this type of library is not available to interview the appropriate staff member, the alternative will be to prepare a brief paper of three-four pages, using the library literature.] In either case, using the appropriate Discussion Board Forum, provide five or six sentences highlighting the things you found most interesting, and then attach an electronic copy of your paper to the Forum. Be sure to post your commentary before the next chat session.

H. Among the resources useful for a consideration of the services and issues regarding academic librarianship are Choice and College and Research Libraries New, published by the Association of College and Research Libraries.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What is the nature of the contemporary academic library?

B. Identify relevant vocabulary. Students are asked, on a weekly basis, to contribute to the vocabulary of the information professions by posting names, dates, words, and/or phrases form our texts that would be of interest to the whole class. Please provide the name, date, etc., the brief informatin/definition, and then the source. An example of a citation would be, e.g., (Lerner, 1998, p.276). If you use another resource, please give the complete bibliographic information using either the APA or MLA style manual.

C. Discuss next week’s assignments.

February 19, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:
A. Lerner, pp. 138-153.

B. To supplement the texts and to maximize course objectives, visit a public library of your choice and ask the following questions: 1. "What is it like to be an public librarian?" 2. "Overall, what are the major services that your public library provides?" 3. "What are the most significant challenges that you presently face as a public librarian?" 4. "What do you envisage as the major trends in your public library for the future?" [If this type of library is not available to interview the appropriate staff member, the alternative will be to prepare a brief paper of three-four pages, using the library literature.] In either case, using the appropriate Discussion Board Forum, provide five or six sentences highlighting the things you found most interesting, and then attach an electronic copy of your paper to the Forum. Be sure to post your commentary before the next chat session.

C. Take a look at the Website of the Public Library Association and the Association of Rural and Small Libraries.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What is the nature of the contemporary public library?

C. Discuss next week’s assignments.

February 26, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Lerner, pp. 154-167.

B.To supplement the texts and to maximize course objectives, visit a school library/school media center of your choice and ask the following questions: 1. "What is it like to be a school librarian/media specialist?" 2. "Overall, what are the major services that your school library/media center provides?" 3. "What are the most significant challenges that you presently face as a school librarian/media specialist?" 4. "What do you envisage as the major trends in your school library/media center for the future?" [If this type of library is not available to interview the appropriate staff member, the alternative will be to prepare a brief paper of three-four pages, using the library literature.] In either case, using the appropriate Discussion Board Forum, provide five or six sentences highlighting the things you found most interesting, and then attach an electronic copy of your paper to the Forum. Be sure to post your commentary before the next chat session.

C. Take a look at the services provided by the American Association of School Librarians.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What is the nature of the contemporary school library/media center?

C. Discuss next week’s assignments.

March 5, 2003

No chat session. Winter holiday.

March 12, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Lerner, pp. 168-183.

B. To supplement the texts and to maximize course objectives, visit a special or corporate library of your choice [medical, legal, business, etc.] and ask the following questions: 1. "What is it like to be a special librarian [knowledge manager]?" 2. "Overall, what are the major services that your special library provides?" 3. "What are the most significant challenges that you presently face as an special librarian [knowledge manager]?" 4. "What do you envisage as the major trends in your special library for the future?" [If this type of library is not available to interview the appropriate staff member, the alternative will be to prepare a brief paper of three-four pages, using the library literature.] In either case, using the appropriate Discussion Board Forum, provide five or six sentences highlighting the things you found most interesting, and then attach an electronic copy of your paper to the Forum. Be sure to post your commentary before the next chat session.

C. Review back issues of Information Outlook, the monthly publication of the Special Libraries Association.

D. Likewise, to item #C, the Special Libraries Association has an important presence at http://www.sla.org.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What is the nature of the contemporary special library?

C. Prepare/review for next week's mid-term exam.

March 19, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Mid-term exam based on material covered to date.

B. Review the assignments for next week.

March 26, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Review mid-term results.

B. Lerner, pp. 184-200.

C. Rubin, pp. 351-395.

D. Review the "Librarians" entry in the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03." Also take a look at the latest of "Library Journal's" annual "Placements and Salaries Survey."

E. What; in your view, is the outlook for librarianship? Post your comments to the Discussion Board Forum.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What are the challenges facing the modern librarian?

B. What does the future present in relation to job placement and availability?

C. What is the nature of a professional library association? What library associations presently support the modern librarian?

D. How important is the American Library Association to librarians in the "trenches?" Link to ALA's Web site and review the array of actiivities and services provided.

E. What is the potential for a new group like the Association of Rural and Small Libraries?

G. Review next week’s assignments.

April 2, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Rubin, pp. 1-18, 57-92.

B. How has the Internet challenged and changed the conventional concepts of information publishing and access? Post your comments to the Discussion Board Forum.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What is the information infrastructure in the United States?

B. How does the modern library/librarian support this infrastructure?

D. Discuss the assignments for next week.

April 9, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Rubin, pp. 19-55.

B. Provide status report on one’s research paper.

C. Should the Department of Library Science, at Clarion, seek to become ...and Information Science?" Post your comments to the Discussion Board Forum.

D. Please see the example of a page using the "MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers."

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What are the similarities and differences between what we identify as librarianship and information science?

B. What do schools of library and “information science” do differently than an educational institution as, e.g., the Department of Library Science at Clarion?

D. Review next week’s assignments.

April 16, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Rubin, pp. 93-138.

B. Begin/continue working on your Web page that will take the form of your personal resume. It should contain a photograph of you/family/household as well as two links to other resources. This should be published to the Clarion University server or some other location. The Center for Computing Services has compiled a very useful array of helpful information regarding the development and publishing of Web pages.

C. Career Services, at Clarion University, has a literal wealth of information available. A useful site is the Jobweb's Catapult, where among other things, one will find examples of resumes under the link of Your Guide to Resume Writing.

D. Many thanks, also, to Career Services for providing access to a new set of slides "discussing" job hunting, resumes, etc. This Power Point presentation will be found among the course documents for our class on Blackboard.

E. Is the Internet the de facto information policy of the United States? Post your comments to the Discussion Board Forum.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What is meant by “information policy?”

B. Does the United States have a national information policy?

D. Discuss the assignments for next week.

April 23, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Rubin, pp. 139-205.

B. Classification Schemes.

C.To what extent are librarians integral to protecting the privacy rights of American citizens? Post your comments to the Discussion Board Forum.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What kinds of information policies does one encounter in the typical library?

B. If you were asked to change the “Library Bill of Rights,” what would you do?

C. How, in practice, has the Internet challenged the resolve of librarians as never before?.

D. Identify relevant vocabulary. Students are asked, on a weekly basis, to contribute to the vocabulary of the information professions by posting names, dates, words, and/or phrases form our texts that would be of interest to the whole class. Please provide the name, date, etc., the brief informatin/definition, and then the source. An example of a citation would be, e.g., (Lerner, 1998, p.276). If you use another resource, please give the complete bibliographic information using either the APA or MLA style manual.l.

E. Discuss next week's assignments.

April 30, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Rubin, pp. 265-296.

B. What do you think are the most serious ethical challenges affecting librarians today? Post your comments to the Discussion Board Forum.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. Does librarianship concern itself with ethics of the profession as compared with lawyers, medical specialists, etc?

B. To your knowledge, has any librarian ever been dismissed because of a lack of ethical standards?

D. Discuss the final two week’s assignments.

May 7, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Review the highlights of research papers.

B. Identify the most interesting aspects of your research paper and contribute them to the Discussion Board Forum.

II. Topics for Chat Discussion:

A. What are the future challenges facing librarianship?

May 14, 2003

I. Assignments/Readings:

A. Final examination based on material covered since the mid-term.

B. Publish your Web page and provide the URL.

C. A physical copy of your research paper [as opposed to an electronic copy] should be sent by postal mail so that it is received by your instructor no later than Monday, May 19, 2003 The mailing address is: Department of Library Science, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 840 Wood St., Clarion, Pa. 16214.